Grant Hackett Quotes (15 Quotes)

It is flawed slightly and needs some tweaking so if someone is injured or sick, they still have a chance of staking a claim. Generally, I've never had problems with our criteria as it's cut-throat and you must perform on the day. But there should be something discretionary to allow athletes, in special circumstances, the chance to be in the program.

I have had a shoulder problem since my post-Olympic break in 2004 and I honestly thought it would settle down after my break following the world championships this year,

If he swims around the times he's been doing for the last couple of seasons, I think he will be pretty well unbeatable,

I am in two minds about it (the criteria). I think basing selection on world rankings is a bit harsh. I can understand Swimming Australia wants to set the bar fairly high, but I don't think it should be at the expense of a Commonwealth Games medal. I am a fan of choosing the team based on Commonwealth rankings.

It's very hard to sacrifice a meet, especially when it's in your own country and I love competing in the Commonwealth Games,

If it can't be detected in blood or urine, we have to think of other avenues to catch people. If it means searching for it at customs, we should do that.

We understand the stage we're in and some people just don't understand we're a small country. We don't have the college system that the US has got. They have so many swimmers but I don't think the low will stay for too long.

I wouldn't say there's an imbalance. We have to remember that, yes, Ian is a big celebrity and he does get a lot of attention from the press, but he has broken 22 world records, won five Olympic gold medals and as many world championship gold medals. I think any attention he has gotten, he deserves.

I didn't have a clue he was there. I actually got a shock when I turned around and saw, ... I didn't even realize he was so far ahead.

I've been with him since I was six. For him to have trained me as a junior and taken me through my career and to gold medals has been amazing,

If I let it drag on it could get worse and worse and it could eventually become a major problem.

I would have been disqualified several times before if it had been enforced like this, definitely.

My body felt extremely tired, ... I've got five or six gears in me, but I was crunching to get into second without a clutch. It was a tough day.

The injury is still very much at a minor stage and it should be fixed up quickly. I will be back in the water in no time but unfortunately I am going to have to miss the Commonwealth Games.

Coaches like Denis are certainly the unsung heroes in modern sport and that's what carrying the baton is about -- recognising people who play such a valuable role.